Design

Aurora Solar vs Scanifly

Aurora Solar Maturity
Stages 3-4 | Multi-Stage
VS
Scanifly Maturity
Stages 1-2 | Multi-Stage

Which tool is better for your solar installation business? Compare pricing, features, and verified reviews side-by-side.

Lumen Vetted

The Lumen Verdict

Aurora Solar is the Gold Standard for Stage 3-4 installers who prioritize proprietary ai-powered lidar modeling.

Scanifly is the superior choice for Stage 1-2 teams needing drone photogrammetry.

How this impacts your Design margin

Switching from Aurora Solar to Scanifly requires adjusting CAD-level shading accuracy tolerances and recalibrating NBT (Net Billing Tariff) ROI modeling for California/NEM 3.0 compliance.

This comparison is part of our broader 2026 Design Audit. Read the full AI Strategy Briefing here.
VS
🏆 Top Pick

Aurora Solar

✓ Updated: March 2026
Stages 3-4 | Multi-Stage
4.7/5
Pricing: Basic ($159/mo), Premium ($259/mo)

Key Features

  • Proprietary AI-powered LIDAR modeling
  • NEM 3.0 / NBT Storage ROI Engine
  • Expert Site Modeling (Aurora Services)
  • Integrated Instant Plan Sets
  • Bankable Shading & Production Reports
  • Advanced AVL (Approved Vendor List) Financing Integration

Pros

  • Highest precision for remote residential design
  • Market leader in California NBT (NEM 3.0) modeling
  • Extensive component database with tabbed AVL views

Cons

  • V2 Interface has reported performance lags for some users
  • High cost-of-entry for Stage 1 solo installers
  • Advanced CAD-like permit tools require separate specialized services
🏆 Top Pick

Scanifly

✓ Updated: March 2026
Stages 1-2 | Multi-Stage
4.9/5
Pricing: Starts at $249/mo

Key Features

  • Drone photogrammetry
  • Bankable shading analysis
  • Virtual site assessments
  • Automatic layout generation

Pros

  • Eliminates roof climbing
  • Highly precise models
  • Increases safety for surveyors

Cons

  • Requires FAA certification for drones
  • Initial hardware investment
  • Cloud syncing can take time

The Verdict: Who Wins?

Choose Aurora Solar if...

You prioritize Highest precision for remote residential design and stage 3-4 residential teams requiring lidar fidelity and nem 3.0 mastery. Aurora Solar is best for teams looking for a robust, well-established platform.

Choose Scanifly if...

You prioritize Eliminates roof climbing and speeding up site surveys. Scanifly offers a specialized approach tailored for high-performance solar teams.

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Still can't decide?

Our Matchmaker Quiz picks the right tool for your specific install volume and business stage.

Take the Matchmaker Quiz ⚡